Vending apparatus



April 11, 1939. s. R sTARNEs ET AL VENDING APPARATUS 4 sheets-sheet 2 Filed 001:. 2/1937 .pln, 1

' 1 ENTO- s ATTORNEY p i 11, 1939. G. R. STARNES ET AL 2 1 ,388

VENDING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, 1937 4 Shee s-Sheet 4 ATTOR'NEY goods, wherein the apparatus may be controlled- Patented Apr. 11 1939 VENDING APPARATUS Garnett Raymond Statues, Kansas City, and Charles A. Melchert, Drexel, Mo., assignors to Calder Sales Corporation, Kansas vcorporation of'Missouri City, Mo., a

Application October 2, 1937, Serial No. 166,926

4 Claims.

. and more particularly to an apparatus for vend ing bottled goods, for example, soda waters in bottles. 7

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for vending bottled.

I by a coin operated mechanism and wherein a single bottle may be dispensed from the apparatus upon a single actuation of the coin operated mechanism.

Other important objects of the present invention' are to provide a vending apparatus having a relatively large capacity for bottled goods; to movably mount the bottled goods in a tank adapted to contain a refrigerant; to maintain the bottled. goods in upright condition; to provide an opening in the tank with which the'bottles are aligned individually, whereby other bottles adjacent the opening may not be removed;

-to so arrange the opening that a plurality of groups of bottles may be respectively aligned therewith for extraction of the bottles individually from the tank; to adjustably lock the bottle support in the tank; to provide forsuccessive rotation of the bottle support; to provide storage space in the tank for a surplus of bottles over those contained in the support; to provide. a coin actuated mechanism for imparting movement to the bottle support; to provide the coin actuated mechanism with locking members for adapting the apparatus to a. predetermined number of successive movements. of the bottles; and to provide for indicating when the bottle support or tank has bottled goods.

- In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, we have provided improved details of structure, theipreferredform of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig.,,1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a vending apparatus embodying the features of the been emptied of the present invention and showing the coin actuatedmechanism and thedischarge opening from the tank.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the vending apparatus, parts of the cover being broken away to illusstorage compartment and the gearing for rotating the support. v

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view I vthrough the Vending apparatus illustrating'the mounting of the bottle support and the relation of the discharge opening to bottles mounted inthe support.

Fig. 4- is a detail perspective view of the bottle support mcuntingand the wedging members for positioning'the same within thetank.

(01. 312-183) This invention relates to vending apparatuses,

of the vending apparatus cover showing the shaftfor rotating thebottle support in response to actuation of the coin actuated mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a detail elevational' view of the coin actuated mechanism. 1

Fig. 7 is a detail vertical cross-section through a portion of the Geneva gearing for rotating the bottle support.

* Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the lower ployed for rotating the bottle support.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the coin and plunger actuated mechanisms-for operating the appasection.

t Fig. 11 is a detail plan view of the ratchet and locking mechanismsshown in the condition of being moved to rotate the bottle support.

Fig. 12. is a detail vertical cross-section through the plunger actuated ratchet mechanism, particularly illustrating the provision for manually operating the actuating main shaft.

Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of the ratchet mechanism, the parts thereof being shown in-disassembled spacedrelation.

Fig. 14 is a detail vertical cross-section through the locking mechanism for controlling rotation 'of the ratchet mechanism.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I, Fig. 1, generally designates a vending apparatus embodying the features of the present' invention, which preferably includes a container such as a tank 2, a rotatable bottle support 3,

Fig. 3, mounted in the tank, a storage section 4 in the tank, a hinged cover 5 having a delivery opening 6, a Geneva gearing mechanism I, Figs. 2 and 9, and a coin actuated mechanism 8 for operating the Geneva gearing to individually align bottles 9 in the bottle support with the opening 6.for permitting individual extraction of the bottles from the tank upon a single operation of the coin actuating mechanism.

More particularly, the tank 2 includes conventional standards 10, Fig. 3, for supporting a tank element or receptacle H preferably consisting of spaced sheet metal inner and outer walls l2, having suitable insulating material l3 The cover 5 is of substantially the same shape as the open upper end of the tank and is preferably provided with a pair of sections I5 and l 6, which are hinged as at H, the respective sections preferably being provided with a sheet v metal casing and suitable insulating material 18 ratus, the housing therefor being shown in crossis bounded by a peripheral flange l4.

like 20, which may be; suitably fixed to either the upper edge of the tankopening or the lower face of the cover flange. A locking member -2l is provided in the sectionl5 of the cover, which has an .element 22 engageable under the flange l4 of the tank for locking that section of the cover relative to the tank.

- The section lfibf-jthe cover is provided, adjacent the hinged portion thereof, with pivotal Llocking members'23 having laterally extending shaped member for providing a smoothly sur- L1 faced opening. The opening 6 is of a length substantially equal to a plurality of bottles 9 contained in the tank and is shown as being equal to the sum of the largest diameter of a total of three bottles.v Mounted on the cover section l6 adjacent the bottle delivery opening thereof is an auxiliary cover member consisting of a plate 26 of a size adapting -it.for covering the delivery opening, the plate having a laterally extending flange 21 for hinging the auxiliary cover to the section, as shown at 28, a spring "29 being pro-- vided for engagement by its respective ends with the auxiliary cover and tank cover respectively for normally maintaining I the bottle delivery opening in closedcondition.

In order to support "bottled, goods within the tank and individually present them for extraction through thejqbottle deliveryo'pening of the cover, we provide a ring 39, which is particularly shown in Fig. 4, and which has angle-f shaped brackets 3| mounted on the lower periphery of the ring in spaced relation thereto for providing supporting foot members for the ring on the bottom of the tank. Spaced brackets 32 are also provided on the ring 30, which haveyoked upper ends extending above the upper periphery of the ring for receiving rollers 33 therein.

The ring 90 is positioned within' th'e-tank by a locking member 34, which preferably. consists of a bar seating in aligned notches 35 in the upper periphery of the .ring, the bar .314 having cross-bars 36 and 31 pivotally mounted, as at 38 and 39, substantially adjacent the opposite ends of the bar 34. The cross-bars 36 and 31 are of. greater length than the width of the tank tothe end that, the ring having been positioned in desired location, the cross-bars may be manually engaged with the sides of the tank, whereby movement of thering tends to wedge the crossbars into engagement with the side walls of the tank for tightening and locking the ring in position.

Mounted on the bar 34 are spaced :angularly extending bars 49 and 4|, respectively engaged in spaced notches 42 in the upper periphery of the ring 30, and having their outer ends connected by a cross-member 43, as particularly shown in Fig. 7. .Spaced upright members 44 are mounted on the cross-piece adjacent the ends thereof, which, in-turn, are interconnected by an upwardly spaced horizontal cross-member 45,

as by fastening devices 49. The cross-members 49 and" are provided with aligned openings 41,

mounted in the'casing. The edges of the cover are provided with a preferably. integral periph eral flange l9 adapted to seat on a gasket or the Fig. '1, for receiving the ends of a preferably cylindrical socket member 49 having a Geneva gear wheel 49 mounted on its lower end and in spaced relation to such end between the cross-members 43 and 45, the upper end of the socket member being provided with a bore 50 extending a' substantial vdistance into the socket member. A stop pin 5| is mounted in the bore 59 in crossed relation thereto, and a vertically extending stop pin 52 is mounted on the upper'bored end of the socket member 48. The Geneva gear wheel 49 is provided'with an annular groove 53, the inner extremity of which is" indented, as at 54, Fig. 9, to provide a series of preferably three recesses and an alternate series of the same number of convexly or arcuately shaped cam members 55 bounding the inner periphery of the groove. Spaced pins 56 are also provided in the gear wheel 49 substantially midway between each of the cam members 55 and on a circumference approximately defined by a continuation of. the

circular plane of the cam members. A friction pin 51, which is mounted in the upper cross-bar is engageable with the upper surface of the Geneva gear 49 for frictionally retarding movement of said gear and preventing dislodgment' of the gear and socket 49 from'their relative positions in the gear and socket mounting.

A counterpart of the Geneva gear wheel 49 consists of a wheel 51, Figs. 2, 3 and 9, of a diameter greater than the ring 30, the lower face of which wheel is mounted on the rollers of such ring 39 and the central portion. of which wheel is provided with an aperture alignable with an aperture 58 in the bar 34 of the dring locking device to' the end that a centering bar 59. which extends through an aligned opening in a bearing plate flxed to the underface of the wheel,

- is adapted to be engaged in the aperture 58 for maintaining the wheel 51 in rotatable position relative to the rollers of the ring 39. The wheel 51 is provided on its periphery with spaced slots SI and adjacent concaved arcuately shaped indentations 62, the indentations 62 being of a size and shape adapting them for frictional engagement with the oppositely disposed convexed arcuately shaped cam members, forming a part of the gear wheel 49. The wheels 49 and 51 are arranged in such a manner relative to each other that as the gear wheel 49 is rotated, engagement is first had by one of the pins 56 in one of the slots 6i, and upon continued rota on of the gear 49. the wheel 51 is turned in such a manner that the concavo-convex arcuate surf ces of the gear end wheel then interengage with each other or vice versa. It is further pointed out that the contactbetween said arcuate surfaces of the gear and wheel forms a lock for preventing unintended rotation of the wheel 51 apart from rotation of the Geneva gear 49.

The upper surface of the wheel 51 is provided with a series of spaced concentric rings 93, which are of progressively less diameter, and which are adapted to support the bottles for seating enplate members 94, Fig. 3, preferably of circular conformation and having a series of spaced aligned openings orholes 55 therein. Bolts 99 with series of aligned holes 85. A definite arrangement is desirable for the holes in the plates in order-to not only provide for accommodating of bottled goods for'its size, but also to provide for-aligning individual bottles of such goods with the delivery opening 8in the cover of the tank. It has been stated that the delivery opening 8 is of a length substantially equal to the-diameter of three bottles intended to be stored in the apparatus and we have found'that' by staggering the openings in annular series oneach of the plates, asshown in Figs. 2 and 3, forty groups of openings, that is to say, forty openings-in each of the plates 84, can be arranged, by stamping or the like, in each of the plates in' such a manner that one full opening only, or series of vertically aligned openings, may be aligned with the cover opening at a single position of the wheel 51. Such number, of course, can be varied, and the number forty has merely been found a convenient number for bottled goods in the present container. If forty series of aligned openings are provided ingthe plates 64, as shown, forts notches and forty arcuate recesses are provided in the wheel 51 in such a manner that, when the Geneva gear wheel 49 is rotated a one-third turn, the wheel ratus proper provides for forty bottles,'as shown,- a surplus of eight is left from'two cases, for example. The storage space 4 provides for such surplus and, of course, can be arrangedso as to accommodate more bottles. In the present instance, this storage space, which is particularly shown in Figs. 2, and 3, preferably consists of brackets 88 adapted to rest on' the bottom of the tank at the end thereof opposite the bottle supporting elements, and a pair of longitudinal bars 89 have their ends mounted on upright posts received by the brackets 68. Cross-bars 18, having laterally turned flanges 1| are mounted on the cross-bars 69, as by welding or the like, in spaced relation toform .a grill for supporting surplus bottles in upright condition, 4

It is necessary to provide sufficient clearance between the rotatable bottle supportingwmechanism and the storage space, and we, therefore,

continue with the placement of cross bars 18 by securing the ends thereof to the cross-pieces 89, but by bending. the body portions 12 of the grill members 18 outwardly or away from the rotatablebottle support, and'secure such body portions together, as at 13, to provide a progressively'less arcuately'shap'ed surface for the body portions of adjacent grill members relative to the rotatable bottle support.

Means is provided for the actuation or rotationbf the: bottle supporting elements, which 15 eraliy illustrated in Fig. 1.

consists of the coin actuatedmechanism 8 gen The coinactuated mechanism consists of the housing 8, the lower edges of which are suitably fixed to the topface of the delivery section of the tank cover, as shown at 14, and a plunger guide 15 is mounted on one end of the housing for receiving a plunger member 16 extending into the housing and having aflnger piece 11 at its outer end exteriorly of the housing for actuating the plunger. Such coin actuated mechanism is provided with conventional coin receiving means the apparatus to dispense a maximum number indicated at 18 and an inclined chute 19 within the housing for disposing of coins placed in the plunger member for actuating the vending apparatus.

in Fig. 6,,for the, extension therethrough 'of an actuating shaft 8|, which 'actuating shaft extends downwardly into the tank and is provided at its lower end with a yoke member 82 engageable over the pin of the Geneva gear socket 48, and the shaft 8| is further provided with a laterally extending pin 83 for engagement with the pin 52 of such socket member, to the end that engagement may be had between the shaft 8|.

, upper end of the shaft 8|, as shown at 89, Fig.

6.- Mounted on the link 88 adjacent the pivot point 81 is a spring pressed pawl member90 having the working end 9| thereof engageable in each of a series of three notches 92 in a ratchet mechanism 93. 'It is apparent that extension of the plunger member-18 inwardly relative to the housing 8 of the coin actuated mechanism forces the link 86 to the left, asin Fig. 10, or away from.

the operator and consequently 'pivotsithe arm 88 in the same direction, thereby drawing the pawl member in a clockwise direction over the outer surface of the ratchet member 93 for engagement in one of the notches 9 It is further apparent that retraction of eplunger or movement, as to the right in Fig. 10 or toward the'operator, forces the link 86 to the right, the

arm 88 in the same direction, and the pawl, due

to its' spring mounting on the arm 88, engages in a notch 92 and moves the ratchet mechanism in an anti-clockwise direction. The length of stroke of the plunger is adjusted in such a manner that a complete operation the'reof turns the ratchet mechanism one-third of a complete rotation and, since the shaftv 8| is fixed to the Geneva gear 49, the Geneva gear 49 is rotated a one-third turn, but moves the wheel 51 one-for tieth of a turn due to the interengagement of the gear pins of the gear 49 with the slotted por-v tions of the wheel 51.

In order to provide one complete actuation'of the vending apparatus with each coin' inserted in thecoinmechanism,- weprovide the ratchet mechanism 93 with an upper notched wheel '94,

which is preferably fixed to the notched wheel of the ratchet mechanism, and both of which are'ilxed in a suitable manner to the upper end erably provided with a greater number ofnotches 98 on its periphery for engagement by 99 in Fig; 10, the opposite end of the pawl being and 14.

the end of 'a pawl 91, which is pivoted tola liorizontal supporting partition member 98 :suitably mounted in the cam mechanism housing, as at fixed to a spring I00, as shown at IN, the opposite end of the spring being fixed to the plate 98, as at I02, in such a manner that the working end of the pawl is urged into engagement with the face of the wheel 94 forconsequent. engagement in the notches thereof. Thus, once'actuation of the plunger has turned the wheel 95 of the ratchet mechanism more than the distance between adjacent notches on the upper wheel, the operfation'of the vending device must 'be completed before another operation thereof may .be comm'enced.

In order to support the ratchet mechanism at the upper end of the shaft 8|, we provide a bracketmember I08, which has its lower ends suitably fixed to the cover of the tank and which has its 'upper end bent laterallyf as at I04, which end is provided withan opening for extension therethrough of the upper end of the shaft 8|, the shaft 8| in turn being extended through the hub I05 of the arm 88 and through central openings in the hub of the ratchet mechanism, as shown in Fig. 12. Suitable bearing members or washers I01 are interposed between the bracket, arm'and ratchet mechanisms for enhancing. movement thereof relative to each other.

In some instances, it may be necessary for the person in charge of the vending apparatus to align diflerent series of holes in the bottle support with the discharge opening and in permitting such an operation, we provide the hub I06 of the ratchet mechanism with aligned notches I08 and the upper end of the shaft 8| with a passageway I09 for the extension of a pin IIO substantially T the central portion of which rests in the notches I08 in such a manner that the ratchet, shaft, gear, and bottle support may be manually turned to desired position relative to the discharge opening of the tank. f

It is a convenience to know when it is required -to refill the vending apparatus and in providing for such an indication, we provide a ratchetmechanism in the nature of an auxiliary locking mechanism, which-is shown in detail in Figs. 6, 10

The auxiliary locking mechanism consists ofa notched wheel II I which is mounted on the. upper end of a shaft I I2, having its lower end seated, as shown at H3, in a bracket II4 extending outwardly from the end wall II5 of the coin actuated mechanism housing. The wheel III is mounted immediately above the horizontal partition'98 in spaced relation to the ratchet mechanism 93 and is preferably provided with suitable I instance, the wheel III is'provided with forty notches-III, and a recess 8 is provided in the body of the wheel for receiving the upturned'end II9 of a latch member I20, which has its end .opposite the upturned end pivoted ona bracket in such a manner that the latch is always urged upwardly, and'when in engagement in the hole II8 of the wheel III locks the wheel against rotation. The initial operation of the vending apsubstantially immediately above the latch memher, as viewed in Fig. not the drawings, or to the left of the operator.

. In order to correlate rotationof the locking.

wheel II I with actuation of the rotatable bottle support, the upper endof the wheel shaft H2 is provided with a link I24 of substantially T-shape,

the arm I25'of theT being pivoted to the shaft II2, as shown at I28, and the Opp site arm I2'I of the T being provided with apawl member I28, whichlis pivoted to such arm as shown at I29, the pawlI2'8 being adapted to; engage in each of the notches I" of the wheel I I[I and the pawl being urged into engagement with the peripheraliace of such wheel by 'a spring I30jfixed thereto and I having its opposite end fixed to the body I3I of -the link 'I24,-as shown at I32. The body m er the link has a rounded end I33 adapted to be engaged by spaced pins I34, which are preferably three in number and equidist'antly spaced on the upper surface of the ratchetmechanism wheel 94. Thus, as the ratchet wheel 94 is turned, one of pins I34 engages the body of the link, moving it in a clockwise direction relative to its pivotal engagement I26, and consequently moving the notched wheel III in a clockwise direction a distance of one of the notches. The pin I34 rides off the end of the link in such a manner that a spring I35 having its ends respectively fixed to the partition 98 and body-of the link, returns the link to normal position and presents the pawl to the succeeding'notch in the wheel. A pawl I38 is pivotally mounted on thepartition 98 and has a working end I3I engageable in successive notches 1 of the wheel III for preventing accidental anti-clockwise movement of the notched wheel III, the pawl being urged against the surface of the notched wheel by a spring I38 having its ends respectively fixed to the pawl and to the partition 98.

The operation of the vending apparatus constructed as described is as follows: Assuming the tank and bottle support to be supplied with bottled goods; and, referring first to Fig. 1, a coin, such as a nickel or the like, is deexteriorly oi the coin mechanism housing. The finger piece "is then pressed inwardly relative to the housing, as shown at Fig. 6, which carries the coin through the conventional coin operated mechanism I8, Fig. 10, for permitting completion of the instroke of the plunger I8, the coin being by-passed dOWIi'the chute I9 in the usual manner. As the plunger is pressed inwardly, the link 88 on the rear nd thereof draws 'the-arm 88 on the ratchet mechanism 93 in a clockwise direction, and the spring pressed pawl engages one of the three notches 92 in the wheel 95 of the ratchet bearings, such as the washers I I8. In the present I "mechanism: a a

\ The finger piece is thendrawn outwardly relative to the mechanism housing and such move:

' merit forces the'arm 88in arr anticlockwise -direction and consequentlytheratchet'mechanism, by reason of engagementofthepawl 90 in one of the notches thereof, The pawl 91 engaging in the so I notches 98 of th, .up'per wheel 93 preve t continuation, oftthe' particular operation of the mechanism'until h complete operation is had, by reason. of .its enga'gement in one of the more numerous notches on the upper wheel.

As the-ratchet mechanism is rotated in response to rotation of the plunger, one of the pins I ratus.

As the ratchet mechanism is rotated, the shaft II, which is fixed thereto, is also rotated, the movement of which is transferred by'its pin and socket connection with the shaft ll of the Geneva gear wheel 49 to such gear wheel, and, the notches of the working wheel of the ratchet mechanism being three in number, the shaft II is given-a one-third turn upon each actuation of the plunger. The Geneva gear wheel is therefore given a one-third turn, which, as shown in Fig. 9, moves one of the pins 58 from its engagement inthe slot I in the wheel I! out of the wheel and effects engagement of the concave-convex arcuate surfaces of the wheel and gear with each other and subsequently eifects engagementof a succeeding pin It in the next succeeding slot SI of the wheel 57 upon the next operation of the plunger.

' While the arcuate'suri'aces II and I! of. the gear and wheel arein engagement, it is apparcut that such engagement effects a lock on the rotatable bottle support so that a complete re.- traction of the plunger is necessary to turn the wheel one unit. The wheel is locked in such withdrawn from the'tank and disposed of as desired when it is desired to red]! the vending apparattle, the lock ti on the cover is actuated to permit hinging o! the section II of the cover, whereupon the locking members 28 of the discharge section may-be moved to permit complete removal of'the hinged cover. The series of aligned openinas in the rotatable bottle support may then be provided with bottles, whic h in the present instance, accommodates forty bottles and surplus bottles may be placed on the grill members II at serieaof operations of fortyin number to: dispensingorvending forty bottles-ofsoda wateror 'thelihe.

position, that is, with the arcuate surfaces in theringlllandthe fl'rneveadifig'aepusaisistnenincoadmmrm as indicated by actuation of the coin mechanism.-

While the actuating shaft II is mounted on the coin actuated mechanism and thus on the cover, its removal and application to the tank incident to manipulation of the cover in no way adversely affects the vending apparatus by reason of the yoke, pin and slot connections thereof with the Geneva gearing, which facilitate interconnection therebetween.

The principal advantages in an apparatus embodying the features of the present invention are that a vending apparatus is provided having a maximum capacity for a given size. The vending of bottled goods therefrom is positive and accurate, and a convenience is provided in indicating when the apparatus needs to berefllled.

- What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described comprising a container; a ring mounted on the bottom of the container having rollers thereon extending upwardly therefrom, means on the ring for wedgingly locking the same in desired position within the container, a support rotatably mounted onthe rollers of the ring, means on the support engaged with the wedging means ior maintaining the support in rotatable position thereon, means mounted on the ring engaged with the support for locking the sanie against rotation, and means for actuating the locking means.

2. In an apparatusv of the character described comprising a container; a support rotatably mounted in said container comprising a plate having a series of alternately spaced indentations and slots on its periphery, a'member having portions engag'able in the slots and indentations of the plate respectively, a shaft connected with said member extending exteriorly of the container adapted to be turned for eflecting engagement between said plate and said portions to alternately rotate said plate and lock the same against rotation, and means on the shaft and member whereby they are adapted for interengagement in operative condition only.

3. In an apparatus-of the character described comprising a container; a ring mounted in said container having rollers mounted thereon, wedge means mounted on the ring for locking the ring in position in the container, a support rotatably mounted on said wedge means and seating on said rollers of the ring comprising a plate having a series of alternately spaced indentations and slots on its periphery, a member having portions engagable in the slots and indentations of the plate respectively, and a shaft connected with said member extending exteriorly relative to the container adapted to be turned for effecting engagemcnt between said plate and said portions to alternately rotate said plate and lock the same 4.lnanapparatusofthecharacterdescribed comprising a container, a support rotatably mounted in the container, means engaged with the support alternately rotating and locking the support in response to actuation of said means, -an extension on said means extending exteriorly at the container, and interengagable means on.

the extension and the first-named means allowing interengagement therebetween in operative GARNET! RAYMOND .BTARNB. CHARLIE A. W. 

